18 BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



largest profit when the crops are the heaviest. When the 

 yield is immense, the dift'erence in value of the firsts and 

 seconds is greater than under other conditions. In 1888, 

 when the apple product was very large, and a great propor- 

 tion went begging at small prices, first-class fruits sold for 

 fully three times the price of the others. 



Handling and MarTveting. 



Having produced a superior article, it is of much impor- 

 tance that it be utilized to the greatest advantage. If the 

 fruits are intended for late keeping, they should be picked 

 early; i.e., before any considerable number of sound speci- 

 mens drop from the trees, and before they get a high color, 

 if of colored varieties. They should be at once housed in 

 the coldest place attainable, out of the influence of the sun- 

 shine, and as far as possible in an even temperature. Fruits 

 sweat as a cold pitcher sweats, which is only when it is 

 colder than the atmosphere that surrounds it ; and every 

 time this occurs it hastens the process of ripening. If 

 apples are to be marketed early, and the best quality is 

 wanted, they may remain on the trees until they obtain a 

 high color, and show maturity by dropping. Pears should 

 never be allowed to become eatable while upon the tree. 

 No fruit should be allowed to drop from the hand or other- 

 wise, but should be handled precisely as an o-gg. A slight 

 dent in the surface of an apple made by a fall of only a few 

 inches will not cause it to rot ; but the spot consists of dried 

 apple, which injures its good looks and is an obstruction to 

 the action of the parer. Any rupture of the skin, however 

 small, starts decay, which is worse in pears than apples. 



In assorting fruits for market, it is very important that 

 the barrels or other packages run even for both size and 

 quality. The most taking display, and the one which 

 quickest attracts the buyer, without perhaps his appreciating 

 the reason, is one in Avh'ich the specimens, while not neces- 

 sarily of unusual size, are models one of another, no very 

 large and no small ones, which equally destroy the beauty 

 »nd attractiveness of the whole. If the crop varies much 

 in size, it is better to pack the largest by themselves. In 



